ERIC Number: EJ1339171
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1537-873X
EISSN: N/A
Times of Crisis Can Bring Opportunities: Educational Planning, Facilities Management, and Cares Funding
Cash, Carol S.; Brinkmann, Jodie L.
Educational Planning, v28 n3 p31-37 Sum 2021
In March of 2020, the United States (U.S.), like many other countries around the world, faced an international pandemic unlike any other in recent times. Elected government officials recommended or mandated the closing of PK-12 public schools. These decisive actions led to unprecedented challenges, but also unique opportunities for public education. The researchers conducted a three-part research study focusing on school leadership during the pandemic. This article is based on the third part of the study focusing on the perceptions of school superintendents about their leadership during the pandemic in one state in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. This qualitative study is based on the naturalistic inquiry design that affords the researcher the opportunity to study an event in real-time as it naturally unfolds (Lincoln and Guba, 1985). Interviews were conducted with Superintendents in February and March 2021. The researchers used a semi-structured interview protocol consisting of nine open ended inquiry-based questions. The purpose was to investigate how superintendents and school divisions were using "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act" funding (U.S. Treasury, n.p.). Based on the data gathered from this study, it became abundantly clear how superintendents used their CARES funds and what that revealed about their priorities. Spending patterns revealed their unwavering support of students and staff and focused on safety and teaching and learning. Superintendents were strategic in their decision making to ensure the CARES funding was used for the greatest common good, both individually and collectively. Many long-term projects and facilities improvements were now possible because of this infusion of funds. Superintendents used this opportunity to effect change: change in instruction, change in instructional delivery, and change in facility disrepair.
Descriptors: Educational Planning, Educational Facilities Planning, Facilities Management, COVID-19, Pandemics, Educational Finance, Federal Legislation, Federal Aid, Superintendents, Expenditures, Strategic Planning, Decision Making, Educational Facilities Improvement, Educational Change
International Society for Educational Planning. 2903 Ashlawn Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Tel: 770-833-1948; Web site: http://isep.info/educational-planning-journal
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act 2020
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A